Clear Focus

Confidence level: ***

Status: proposed

Super-patterns

* [Usability Project/Pattern Language/Explorable Interface]]

Problem statement

In the user interface, it should always be easy to see what is being acted on, or where input will appear.

Imagine you have two windows side by side. Which window will get the input when you type? This can be indicated in various ways: by showing the window frame in a different way for focused and unfocused windows, by showing widgets inside an unfocused window in a faded-out state, by blinking a cursor for text entry. Combining these techniques makes it easier to see what has the focus.

Similarly, for actions that are not related to text input or typing, it should be possible to see which objects are being acted upon (for example, when clicking on a command button that operates on items that are selected elsewhere in the screen).

Therefore:

Always make it clear what objects are being acted upon, either by drawing them conspicuously, by fading inactive objects, or by showing some kind of connection between the "subject" and the "verb".

Sub-patterns